Label remover

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a hand held label removal apparatus, which provides a safe, and easy removal of otherwise hard to remove labels that are affixed to various sorts of containers, paper based folders, plastic products and other materials. The device differentiates from the rest by allowing for high productiveness, the ability to remove various parts of the label as well as the label in its entirety, is completely safe and ecologically harmless. The essence of the invention involves the usage of a flat grinding circlet or a face mill, which is put in a circular motion by an electric motor. The design of the invention ensures that the area of the label that is being processed is insulated from the outside environment. Dusts, small and relatively larger particles that formulate as a result of the label removal process are evacuated utilizing vacuum, for instance connectivity of the device with a standard vacuum cleaner. The design and electrical layout of the Label Remover are engineered in a way which prevents the activation of the device before proper connectivity to a vacuum source is established. Upon the shutdown of the vacuum source, the label remover automatically deactivates, thus eliminating the possibility of byproduct dispersion into the surrounding environment. Label remover is equipped with a handle possessing a conic aperture inside of which, a standard vacuum cleaner hose tip is inserted.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention Label Remover relates to devices that are used toremove labels that are affixed to various types of containers, all typesof paper and carton folders and packages, plastic made products andvarious other materials.

The necessity for creation and usage of similar devices is derived fromthe fact that labels on shipping boxes, packages, and various types offolders carry certain sensitive and confidential information such asorder numbers, customer and account numbers, asset tag numbers,addresses, telephone numbers and other proprietary information. In thehands of an identity thief, that information can be used withdetrimental intent. Consistently escalating popularity of identitytheft, fraud and other related crimes necessitate the creation of adevice to easily and effectively remove information located on labelsthat are affixed to various types of objects. The proposed Label Removerprovides safe and complete removal of labels from shipping materials,folders and other objects for purposes of security, reusability ofmaterials, as well as removal for replacement of old labels with newerlabels that carry updated information.

The patent search results revealed that numerous devices have alreadybeen patented, which attempt to solve these or similar problems. Thoseinclude U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,946,750; 4,114,267; 4,325,775; 4,599,131;5,152,865; 5,536,355; 5,587,096; 5,679,210; and 6,158,493. The closestfunctional usage matches with regards to the present invention are U.S.Pat. Nos. 4,114,267; 5,679,210; and 6,158,393;

Device listed under U.S. Pat. No. 4,114,267 is used for removal of flatlabels. The removal process is carried out fully via manual effort andwith the use of a sharpened blade. This device exhibits the followingshortcomings:

The practical usage of such device is labor consuming and requiressignificant manual effort resulting in definitive low productivity.

The process requires precise amounts of manual pressure to be exerted onthe label's surface which is difficult to control by manual efforts.Applying more pressure then necessary is likely to cause damage to theprocessing surface area. Applying less pressure then necessary is likelyto cause incomplete label removal.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,679,210 shows a manual finger actuated label removingapparatus. The device shares the manual approach with the abovementioned device, and delivers low levels of productivity due to theobvious limitations of a device that uses the human finger as leverage.As with previous device, this method does not provide safe label removalwithout causing probable damage to the surface area of the object, forinstance a carton box which can otherwise be reused.

In device shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,493, a handheld apparatus isdesigned to fully detach labels from objects such as a carton package.In actuality, paper labels do not detach equally and fully. The areas ofthe label that were exposed to slightly higher amounts of glue wouldrequire an adjusted balanced effort in order to be properly removed. Thedesign of this device overlooks that very fact and as a result will failto effectively detach the labels fully from the targeted surface. Aswith the previous devices, the process of fully detaching the label fromthe surface of an object is labor consuming, requires significantamounts of time and effort, and is generally impractical.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to overcome theseand other drawbacks and limitations inherent to prior art by providing anovel Label Remover for safe, easy, and effective removal of labels fromvarious types of boxes, folders and other materials. In addition, theinvention can be used for processing and polishing of wooden and plasticmaterials

The device differentiates itself by providing high productivity, saferemoval of the label in its entirety as well as its various parts, iscompletely safe, and ecologically harmless.

The Label Remover implements a flat circular grinder or a frontal facemill that is put into motion by an electric motor. The design providesfor complete isolation of the processing area of the label from theoutside environment. Dust particles and byproducts which accumulatethroughout the label removing process are evacuated through a vacuumdevice, such as a vacuum cleaner. The design and electrical layout ofthe Label Remover is constructed in a way which allows the activation ofthe device only after proper connectivity to the vacuum source isestablished. Upon disconnection of the vacuum source from the LabelRemover, the device immediately shuts off by so eliminating thepossibility of accidental contamination of the surrounding environmentwith byproducts. Label Remover incorporates a handle which possesses aconic aperture, inside of which a standardized vacuum cleaner hose tipis inserted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the subject matter of the presentinvention and the various advantages thereof can be realized byreference to the following detailed description in which references aremade to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a functional diagram of the Label Remover with frontal andside views;

FIG. 2 shows external operative view of the Label Remover on a labelaffixed to a surface of an object.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

A detailed description of the present invention follows with referenceto accompanying drawings in which like elements are indicated by likereference letters and numerals.

The Label Remover shown on FIG. 1 consists of two parts—casing 1 andhandle 2, fastened together by screws 3. With the help of handle 2, theLabel Remover is initially positioned to travel within the area of thelabel being processed.

The left side of cylindrically shaped casing 1 holds an electric motor4, frontal side of which leans on the ledges of the casing, and from theopposite side mounts with rods 5, and screws 6. On the shaft 7 of theelectric motor 4, a cutting instrument 8 is attached which consists ofan abrasive circle or a frontal face mill. As such, the cutting plane ofthe instrument 8 must be placed at a fixed distance from the front faceof the cylindrical portion of casing 1.

On casing 1, with a minimal allowed gap, a cylindrical cup 9 is placedand mounted on the casing with 2 limitation screws 10 and is underconstant actuated pressure from spring 11, the force of which isdirected outwards from the case ledges. The length of internal aperturesfor the limitation screws 10 inside the cylindrical cup 9, allows thecylindrical cup 9 under the influence of spring 11, assume the positionin which the flat cutting edge of the instrument 8 is placed inside thecup on predefined distance from the external face 12. This ensuressafety with respect to the handling of the Label Remover regardless ofthe ON or OFF states.

In the event of handle pressure, chosen length of the grooves allows forthe exposure of the cutting instrument behind the face plate 12 of thecylindrical cup 9 for the length equal to the thickness of the label orslightly more.

Inside the right part of Casing 1, a rectangular shaped cover 13 isinstalled. Mounted on the cover 13, are switch 14 and micro switch 15that are serially connected to an electric motor 4. That layout ensuresthat the Label Remover will only activate when switch 14 and microswitch 15 are in the ON positions.

Inside the crater of casing 1 on axis 16, a membrane 17 is positionedhaving hard sides on the perimeter. The Membrane 17 is balanced from oneside with a spring actuated trigger and from another, with a spring 19which is mounted on the inner side of casing 1 with screws 20.

Internal design of the lower handle 2, is constructed in a way whichallows for insertion inside it a vacuum hose tip 21, for immediatebyproduct removal.

To ensure proper airflow inside casing 1, the Label Remover is equippedwith dual side grooves 22. Outside air that is required to enter theLabel Remover blows in through apertures 23 located near the externalface 12 of the cylindrical cup 9. The air flowing through apertures 23as well as through the electric motor also creates a cooling effect onthe motor, which is particularly important with respect to prolongedusage of the invention.

Switch 14 is used for manual activation of the Label Remover, althoughactivation may also be achieved automatically. In the event of automaticactivation, the functions of switch 14 are carried out by a micro switch(not shown on FIG. 1), which is mounted on casing 1 and is activated bymovement of the cylindrical cup 9, towards the compression of spring 11.

The choice of the power supply would depend on the type of the electricmotor used. The preference is given to the electrical motor, operatingfrom a standard electrical circuit, for instance 120V, 60 Hz. Theelectric motor with decreasing electrical load, increases the currentflow commutated by the micro switch. This requires escalated parameterrequirements for the micro switch.

Before activation in home and office environments, the Label Removershould be attached to the vacuum cleaner with a vacuum hose by insertingone end of the vacuum hose inside the conic aperture 21 located at thebottom of the handle. The other end of the vacuum hose will be connectedto the vacuum cleaner. With concurrent usage of a number of LabelRemovers for instance on a mass production and large factories, the useof a centralized vacuum source which is powered from a single powerfulcompressor is recommended.

With the activation of the vacuum cleaner, the airflow creates anadditional pressure on membrane 17. Under the airflow pressure, themembrane goes into motion and causes the activation of the micro switch18. This allows for the activation of the Label Remover with switch 14.Micro switch 18 is an important electrical current blocking elementwhich eliminates the possibility of accidental operation of the LabelRemover without prior connectivity to a vacuum source. This preventsaccidental dispersion of paper particles and other byproducts which mayform during the label removing process into air and subsequently insidehuman lungs.

For proper operation of the Label Remover, it is necessary to press thebutton of the switch 14 (see FIG. 2). For removal of area 26 of label24, affixed to an Object 25, one has to position the cutting instrumenton the given area, press the external face 12 towards the label areaidentified for removal and apply slight pressure towards the axis of thecylindrical cup 9, overcoming the pressure of spring 11 (FIG. 1).

This action would cause the spinning abrasive ring of the cuttinginstrument 8 to come into contact with the area of the label identifiedfor removal, effectively removing it from the surface of the cartonboxes, folders and various other objects. Moving the Label Removal inmultiple directions makes it possible to easily remove the entire labelfrom the surface of an object within seconds.

The shifting of the cylindrical cup 9 is limited by screws 10, whichalso limit the height of the exposed area of the cutting instrument 8,and subsequently the depth of the removable area. The specified heightof the exposure corresponds to the approximate height of the label. Thisminimizes and/or fully eliminates the damage to the surface of an objectto which the label is affixed, allowing for instant reusability ofobjects such as shipping and packing boxes. Dust and small particleswhich may form throughout the removal process from paper, carton,wrappings, and plastics are immediately sucked into the vacuum cleanerensuring complete and instantaneous removal from the surface of theworking area thus preventing the dispersion into the surroundingenvironment.

The suggested Label Remover has the following significant advantagesover the devices identified in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,114,267; 5,679,210;6,158,393:

Possesses significantly higher levels of productivity with significantlylower probability of damage that may be caused to the surface of anobject to which the label is affixed.

Utilizes ecologically harmless removal technology, which eliminates thepossibility of byproducts dissemination into air, thus preventing healthhazards.

Feasible for usage in home and office environments, large storages,warehouses and factories.

Easy to use and minimizes the amount of manual effort associated withthe label removal process.

1. A label remover, distinguishable by a highly productive nature, bysignificantly lowering manual physical effort which is associated withremoval of labels from various types of objects, a label remover,utilizing a cutting instrument consisting of an abrasive ring or a facemill, which comes into circular motion by the means of an electric motorwhich is mounted inside a cylindrical casing, a label remover, equippedwith a handle which creates a 90 degree angle with the cylindricalcasing, and has fixed distance between the flat cutting instrument ofthe device and External Face of the Cylindrical Casing
 2. A labelremover as in claim 1, wherein said in order to accomplish thefunctionality of isolating the removable area of the label from thesurrounding environment, a cylindrical cup is utilized which is situatedwith minimal allowed gap on the casing, and is mounted on the casingwith screws which are inserted through casing apertures, as well ascylindrical spring which is mounted on casing and is pressing from oneside onto the internal ledge of the casing, and pressing from the otheron the inside ledge of the cylindrical cup.
 3. A label remover as inclaim 2, distinguishable by providing safe handling and storage innon-operational state by utilizing rear edges of the screw apertures,which are holding the cylindrical cup on the casing and are positionedin a way that allow the shifting of the cylindrical cup under maximumspring pressure, thus effectively concealing the cutting instrumentinside the cylindrical cup.
 4. A label remover as in claim 2 and 3,distinguishable by provision of precise required depth of the removablearea of the label, by means of precise length of side grooves where themaximum pressure of the handle onto the label causes the exposure of thecutting instrument for the depth equal to the thickness of the label orslightly more.
 5. A label remover as in claims 1,2,3 and 4,distinguishable by ensuring proper byproduct removal and prevention ofbyproduct particle air dispersion, utilizing a handle consisting of aconical aperture inside of which, a vacuum hose tip or a specializedadapter having identical standard hose tip is inserted, a label removerwhich ensures continued airflow through the cylindrical cup and casing,by utilizing the apertures which are located on the lower part of thecylindrical cup as well as pathways alongside the cylindrical cup, whichdirect airflow carrying the byproducts of the removal process as well asprovide continuous cooling to the electric motor, thus allowing forprolonged usage of the invention.
 6. The label remover as in claims1,2,3,4 and 5, distinguishable by possessing an accidental activationblocking mechanism, which prevents the activation of the device beforeestablishing connectivity with a vacuum source by the means of thecasing that is equipped with a membrane which is mounted on the axis atan angle, and the cover of the casing containing electric switches whichare connected serially to the electric motor, and the rear side of themembrane mechanically contacting the spring lever of the micro switch.7. The label remover as in claims 1,2,3,4,5 and 6, distinguishable bycontinually ensuring correct positioning balance of the internalmembrane, by means of pressing against it with a spring lever of themicro switch, and increased dependability of proper activation of themicro switch under the influence of the airflow by means of equippingthe inside of the casing with a spring at a fixed position, whichpresses on the outside of the membrane.